North Korea Fires Multiple Ballistic Missiles into Sea, Raising Regional Tensions
North Korea launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast on Tuesday, prompting condemnation from South Korea and heightened concerns in the region, Al Jazeera reports.
The South Korean military’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) reported the launches, which occurred at approximately 9:30 am local time (00:30 GMT), originating from North Korea’s Jagang Province.
According to the JCS, the missiles traveled up to 155 miles before landing in waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. The South Korean military said it is preparing for additional launches and has increased its monitoring of North Korean activities, while also sharing information with its US and Japanese counterparts.
“We strongly condemn the launch as a clear provocation that seriously threatens the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula,” said the JCS in a statement.
They warned North Korea against “misjudging” the situation and pledged to “overwhelmingly respond” to any further provocations.
South Korea’s Acting President Choi Sang-mok also condemned the missile launch, vowing a stern response and highlighting Pyongyang’s continued violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions prohibiting such weapons tests.
This marks the second missile test by North Korea this year, following the test of a new hypersonic intermediate-range missile on January 6. Pyongyang claimed that the earlier test involved a missile designed to strike remote targets in the Pacific.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has repeatedly vowed to expand his nation’s nuclear-capable arsenal, citing the need to counter rival nations. During a year-end political conference, Kim stated that he would implement the “toughest” anti-US policy yet
Kim also criticized Washington’s efforts to strengthen security cooperation with Seoul and Tokyo, characterizing them as the development of a “nuclear military bloc for aggression” aimed at toppling his regime.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi confirmed his awareness of the missile launch. He said that Tokyo was taking all possible measures to respond through close cooperation with Washington and Seoul, including real-time sharing of missile warning data.
